6 minute read
COPPERMINE TRAIL
BROOK STREET, NELSON ROUND TRIP 4-6 hours 43km
© AA Traveller 2022
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Should you be prone to stopping often to smell the flowers, allow a full day to complete this stunning alpine ride. Otherwise, four to six hours will suffice. Before heading out from central Nelson, allow the good city folk to serve you a cup of their finest coffee; you won’t find a smoother drop.
From Nelson CBD the full loop is and finish at the Brook St trailhead (as described on the following page). Soon enough you’ll be riding through spectacular hill country via Codgers Mountain Bike Park before joining the old tramway, believed to be New Zealand’s first railway. The terrain then climbs gently through sweet-smelling forest with head turning views back towards Nelson and Tasman Bay. Upon arriving at Third House, 660m above sea level, join the weka for a picnic.
As the trail continues to undulate upwards, the landscape takes on an almost lunar-like appearance past Windy Pt (both by name and by nature) to Coppermine Saddle at 878m. The section between here and Maitai Dam can be seriously hair-raising but a side trip to Maitai Caves reveals enchanting grottoes. You’ll need to dismount and walk 30 minutes each way, but it’ll provide some respite from the demanding terrain.
The final section follows a bushy ledge skirting the river before dipping back into Nelson. Those with an enviable amount of stamina can return via the slightly harder Maitai Valley Walkway.
Global conservation starts right here in Nelson. The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is a 700 hectare mainland ‘ecological island’ that adjoins this trail. While riding, listen look out for the South Island saddleback, or tīeke, and the orange-crowned parakeet also known as the kākāriki karaka.
TRAIL INFO
TRAIL GRADES:
BROOK ST TO THIRD HOUSE, 11.5KM GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
THIRD HOUSE TO COPPERMINE SADDLE, 6KM GRADE 3-4 (INTERMEDIATE- ADVANCED)
COPPERMINE SADDLE TO MAITAI DAM, 9.6KM GRADE 3-4 (INTERMEDIATE- ADVANCED)
MAITAI DAM TO BROOK ST, 11KM GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Good coverage close to the city, and at points on the climb to Coppermine Saddle, Third House being one point. Once past Third House coverage is very poor.
DRINKING WATER: Sufficient water should be carried to last the entire day. Supplies are readily available in Nelson city.
TYPE OF BIKE: A ship-shape mountain bike is essential for this trail.
RIDING THE TRAIL
BROOK ST TO THIRD HOUSE, 11.5KM The trail begins in the lower reaches of Codgers MTB Park, a fun place to ride with trails to suit most abilities.The trail soon joins the old railway, a narrow gauge, horse-drawn operation that is considered New Zealand’s very first railway. It was used to transport chromium copper from hillside mines – hence the name ‘Coppermine’.The old railway line makes for a steady but gentle climb around the flanks of Wooded Peak, aptly named for its cloak of regenerating and mature beech forest. The views back towards Nelson, Tasman Bay and faraway ranges become evermore impressive as you progress.Third House, the basic shelter at 660m above sea level, is an atmospheric place to rest with the possibility of a weka wandering in.
THIRD HOUSE TO COPPERMINE SADDLE, 6KM As the trail undulates upwards, the landscape begins its drastic transformation from bushy to bald, before long ushering riders on to an exposed ridge with stunted mānuka and other hardy plant life. Welcome to the so-called mineral belt, studded with strikingly coloured rocks.At Windy Pt – which probably will be – the trail continues as singletrack for a couple of kilometres before reaching the trail’s highpoint, Coppermine Saddle (878m). New views of the Maitai Valley and Richmond Ranges are revealed around these parts, which combined with its rugged beauty make it a pretty awesome spot to stop for lunch.
COPPERMINE SADDLE TO MAITAI DAM, 9.6KM Get ready to rumble, because this is a wild ride of fast-forward, big corners and rock-dodging. Expect watery eyes, white knuckles and an ear-to-ear grin.The descent from the Saddle to the Matai South Branch is the most technical section of the ride. It is a steep gradient with switchbacks and loose rocks – grade 4 trail. Upgrade work is planned on this section, but if you aren’t a confident technical rider check the website for updates on trail condition. Around three quarters of the way down, the gradient eases and from the South Branch crossing the track undulates towards Maitai Dam. Open stretches of flowing track offer a chance to open up the throttle a bit but be aware that this is a dual-use track, so keep an eye out for walkers. After crossing the Maitai South Branch Bridge, note a left turn onto a walking track signposted to the Maitai Caves. This is a worthwhile side trip if you don’t mind locking your bike to a tree or walking with it for the half an hour each way. The stunning caves are well worth the side-trip.
MAITAI DAM TO BROOK ST, 11KM The final section of the Coppermine Trail parallels Nelson’s water pipeline on a cruisy, bush-lined trail on a ledge above the river. After around 4km, at Smiths Ford, the trail joins the quiet Maitai Valley Rd. Tired riders can simply follow the road back to Nelson, while those with gas left in the tank can follow the only marginally harder Maitai Valley Walkway – you can follow this all the way back to the Nelson CBD, or detour into the backstreets to close the loop back to the Brook St trailhead. A map or Google will get you there.
Coppermine Trail
© Virginia Woolf Photography
